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Dog WormsThe four most common dog worms are roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. Common symptoms of worms in dogs include diarrhea,
vomiting, weight loss, and anemia.
Worms in dogs - not exactly a pleasant topic at the dinner table... Unfortunately, they are a common experience for our dogs.
It may be revolting to think about it, but the truth is, even many healthy adult dogs may carry a small number of relatively harmless intestinal parasites.
However, some dog worms can cause serious health issues - particularly if the dog's immune system is weak, or if the infestation becomes severe.
Most puppies (and kittens) will have intestinal worms from birth. The worms are passed on from the mother, and the undeveloped immune systems and gastrointestinal
systems of very young pups cannot keep the parasite population in check.
Rescued dogs should also be checked for dog worms as stress and crowded conditions contribute to the dogs' vulnerability to parasites.
If you suspect that your dog has worms, it is advisable to have a fecal analysis done by your veterinarian to determine the type and severity of your dog's worm
infestation.
Common symptoms of worms in dogs include:
Dog Worms - TapewormsTapeworms are commonly found in dogs. They can be transmitted by fleas, food sources, or feces. Although the appearance of tapeworms is revolting, they are seldom a big threat to our dog's health. We will not even notice that our dog has tapeworms unless our vet has a fecal analysis done. Sometimes, however, we can see body segments of the worms on our dog's feces or on the hair near the anus. If our dog is healthy and has a strong immune system, tapeworm infestation is usually short-term and harmless. Visit our page on Tapeworms in Dogs for more information about canine tapeworms. TopDog Worms - RoundwormsRoundworms are common in puppies. Some puppies acquire roundworms from their mothers, and infestation can only be detected by fecal analyses. Roundworms can pose a more serious threat to the health of puppies. In serious cases, they may cause illnesses and even death. Visit our page on Roundworms in Dogs for more information about canine roundworms. TopDog Worms - HookwormsHookworms are not as common as tapeworms and roundworms but they cannot be overlooked. Hookworms can be transmitted to puppies in the same way as roundworms. The worms are very small and are difficult to be detected. Heavy infestation of hookworms poses a serious health problem to puppies since the worms attach to the intestinal walls and suck blood. Visit our page on Hookworms in Dogs for more information about canine hookworms. TopDog Worms - WhipwormsWhipworms usually affect young adult dogs. Persistent, watery diarrhea is a sign of prolonged infestation, which may cause severe intestinal distress to the dog. Diagnosis of infestation is by fecal analysis. Visit our page on Whipworms in Dogs for more information about canine whipworms. TopDog Worm TreatmentSince roundworms, hookworms and whipworms can cause great distress on our dog's intestinal and immune systems, fecal analyses and, if infestation is confirmed, deworming is recommended. After deworming, milder alternatives, such as herbs or minerals, can be added to our dog's food to keep the intestinal parasites in check. However, since deworming involves the use of rather strong chemicals which may put additional stress on our dog's body, it is not advisable to use such a program to get rid of tapeworms, which are generally harmless. Try the milder herbal and other natural alternatives suggested in our page on tapeworms. They are more gentle on your dog. TopHealth Care for Dogs with WormsA dog with worm infestations is very often weak due to malnutrition (the worms rob the dog of a lot of essential nutrients) and/or anemia. It is therefore important to replenish the supply of essential nutrients to strengthen up the dog's immunity. Diet While your dog is being treated for worms, it is essential to feed him foods that are nutritious. A diet high in protein and fat is desirable (e.g. 40% of the diet should come from meat or eggs). Add a bit of olive oil to the dog's food for fat supply. Some intestinal parasites (e.g. hookworms) can remove large amounts of blood from your dog, making him anemic. To replenish the all-important iron that is lost in the blood, give him raw organic liver once daily for two to four weeks. Improve Digestion Even if you feed your dog nutritious foods, he cannot get all the nutrients he needs if the foods are not fully digested. To ensure that he can properly digest the foods and absorb the nutrients, feed him supplements of digestive enzymes and probiotics.Related Topics Tapeworms in Dogs Roundworms in Dogs Hookworms in Dogs Whipworms in Dogs References D. Hamilton, Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs (North Atlantic Books, 1999). R. Kidd, Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Dog Care (Storey Publishing, 2000). Pitcairn and Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Rodale, 2005). M.L. Wulff-Tilford and G.L. Tilford, Herbs for Pets (Bowtie Press, 1999). TOP of Dog Worms |
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